Chapter Fourteen: Seventh Year

The first thing Hermione did when she arrived at Hogwarts was go and see Dumbledore. Her mother had told her that she would become Headmistress after the welcoming feast as Albus was leaving on one of his trips to defeat Voldemort with the boy who lived and his red-headed friend. Hermione was furious! Severus had tried to persuade her to leave it, but Hermione wouldn't. She stormed through the door that led to the Head's office and demanded the attention of Dumbledore who was currently packing everything away to leave room for Minerva.

"Why Dumbledore!"

"Why what Hermione?"

"Why did you put my mother through hell last year? And now your doing it again! You expect her to be able to cope with teaching her usual lessons, looking after the wards and doing all the paperwork that comes with being headmistress and professor."

"She chose to be my deputy, Hermione."

"No, you chose her. Yes I very much doubt she would have minded if you'd given her little bit of notice, but no, you decided yesterday that you were going to spring it on her."

"She'll be absolutely fine, she has Alan."

"My father can only do so much, Dumbledore!"

"I thought he's in perfect health."

"He is, but mother is stubborn, you asked her to do this not my Dad. If she has another break down because you have forced her into this, you won't just have me to deal with. You're lucky my father isn't up here as well."

"Hermione, Minerva will be fine at Headmistress and still be able to hold up her other position to. You're underestimating her."

"No! You're overestimating her! You'll see. She's worried enough about everything that's going on and you're just adding to her plate. Stop doing it. There is only so much that she is able to handle." With that Hermione turned on her heel and left the office.

Dumbledore stood in the middle of his office and starred at the spot where Minerva's daughter had just been standing. Minerva herself had said she would be fine had holding everything up. But, she had neglected to inform him of the happenings of while he was away.

Hermione arrived down in the chambers that she and Severus shared in record timing. Severus was waiting for her and brought her into his arms the moment that she entered the living room. They stood there together for a while, before Hermione pulled back to go and get herself ready for the welcoming feast. When she was ready she went and wrapped her arms around Severus' waist and rested her head on his chest.

"Can I sit with you at the head table tonight, please?"

"Not tonight love. Things are going to be hectic enough."

"Okay." Hermione nodded and closed her eyes. She was already exhausted and the feast hadn't even begun. Severus rubbed his hand up and down her back, soothing her, and it took all the energy she had left not to fall asleep.

"Let's head up, love."

Hermione nodded and clung to Severus' hand. He pressed a kiss to her crown and wrapped an arm around her waist allowing Hermione to hold onto his robes. The teachers all knew about their engagement as Minerva had insisted on throwing a small party for them, so when they entered the Great Hall like this, it didn't bother any of the members of staff, apart from Minerva and Alan who both knew something was wrong. Hermione sat on the last seat on the Gryffindor table so that she was as close to Severus as possible. Severus took the seat next to her and continued to hold her close to him. He whispered to her occasionally, but he grew worried when he found her drifting off to sleep.

"Don't go to sleep love."

"I'm sorry Severus, I'll try not to."

"As soon as you've eaten head on to our rooms, okay?"

Hermione nodded. "I don't think I'll be able to last that long."

"I'll speak to Minerva and see what she says, but try and last, you need to eat something, you haven't eaten anything since last night."

Hermione nodded and Severus indicated for Minerva to come over as he knew that Hermione wasn't going to let him go any time soon.

"What's wrong Severus?"

"Hermione's struggling to stay awake."

Minerva nodded. "When was the last time she ate?"

"Last night."

Minerva look worried. "Hermione, kitten."

"Yes, Mom?"

"Do you think you'll be able to stay awake long enough to eat something?"

Hermione shrugged. "I'll try."

"Okay." Minerva nodded at Alan and he called a house-elf to get something for Hermione to eat. "Don't worry if you're still eating when the others come in. You still have half an hour before they arrive on the train yet."

Hermione nodded and thanked her mother before starting to slowly eat what was on the plate in front of her. Severus stayed by her side and made sure that she ate at least half the plate.

An hour later and Hermione was still eating what was in front of her. She had to stop every now and then as she felt a little nauseous. The foot falls of hundred of students could be heard and Severus went to move as did Minerva, but Hermione held on tight to Severus. Minerva looked a little panicked, but soon decided what to do.

"Let's move you to the head table, kitten, okay?"

Hermione nodded and stood with Severus. Her plate had vanished and reappeared in the new space between her mother and Severus. Severus led her slowly to her chair and helped her sit. Minerva transfigured her clothing into more comfortable robes and Hermione relaxed against Severus.

"Come on love, finish eating."

Hermione slowly continued to eat, but when the hall started to fill with students, she put her fork down and her hands went under the table, her back ramrod straight. Severus angled her so she was closer to him and facing him slightly before putting her hands in his lap and holding onto them with his larger ones, making patterns with his thumbs. Hermione relaxed slightly and carefully leaned into Severus, not wanting to make it obvious to the other students. It was bad enough for Hermione when everyone found out about Minerva being her mother, but that'd be nothing compared to the hassle she'd get if the students found out she was engaged to Slytherin's head of house.

The sorting was quick this year, not very many new students had come, the fear of Voldemort keeping families together this year more than every other year before. Severus was no longer involved with him, but Lucius kept him up to date and he knew that this year Voldemort planned on taking over the wizarding world and he wanted the final battle to take place at Hogwarts. He had informed Dumbledore of this and tomorrow he and the chosen one would take to the road to destroy Voldemort. Severus was glad that he wasn't asked to join them as he knew he wouldn't be able to leave Hermione. He worried about her enough without knowing when the battle was going to take place, now that he knew, he was even more worried, that and her behaviour today was making him really worried, he hoped that he was able to keep his worries away from Hermione for a while, wanting her to get 'better' first. Severus and Hermione were brought out of their thoughts with Dumbledore standing.

"Welcome once more to a grand year at Hogwarts. This year will be one of change, change that I hope you will all take in your stride and not let if effect your education and your fun. The first change this year; is that Professor McGonagall will be taking over as Headmistress for the foreseeable future. You will treat her as you have done me. The head boy and girl are still to be decided upon so tonight your heads of house will escort you to your common rooms and give you the password to get into them. Professor A. McGonagall will be helping out in transfiguration and also potions as Professor Snape has recently become engaged and therefore will need to dedicate more of his time to his fiancé."

Severus sent a death glare to Dumbledore and Hermione held on tight to Severus' hands. It didn't take a genius to work out why Hermione was sat at the head table and not in her school robes.

"That shall be all from me, I shall now pass you over to the Headmistress."

Minerva stood up. "I think I speak for everyone when I say that you will be missed Professor Dumbledore." There was a cheer from every table apart from Slytherin. "Now, to stop any confusion and before I start the normal welcome speech, you all may address me as Madame McGonagall. Now, as you all know, the forbidden forest it just that. Anyone caught there will have detention and their parents will be contacted. I hope that all of you will be on your best behaviour this year. One last note before we begin to dine; anyone wishing to leave for home at any time during this year must come and speak to me. Now, enjoy." As she finished her words to tables filled with food and everyone helped themselves to a healthy helping.

"Are you okay, Min?" Alan asked from his place on her left hand side.

Minerva nodded and reached for his hand under the table, looking for reassurance. "I'm fine. I'm now more worried about Hermione and Severus than I was before."

"Don't you worry; Severus can deal with the students."

Minerva nodded and set about eating her meal.

Hermione reheated her food and ate a little more while Severus picked at the food on his plate. Hermione turned to him and held his hand visibly on the table. She didn't care who saw, their engagement was now out in the open.

"Severus, are you okay?" she whispered.

"I'm fine love."

"Are you planning on eating that or playing with it then?"

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I'm worried too."

Severus nodded and using his left hand started to eat a little. Hermione kept a hold of his right hand and ate a little more with her left. She could hear murmurings all over the hall about the two of them, some nice, some not so nice. Severus felt her stiffen and turned to Minerva.

"I'm going to take her back to our chambers."

"Okay Severus. I'll be down when I can."

"Could you get someone to cover my duties tonight please?"

"Of course, Alan can do them tonight."

"Thank you, Minerva."

"Look after her for me Severus."

"Always." Severus stood and helped Hermione out of her chair, her legs were a little unsteady and she nearly fell. "Come on, love. Let's get you back now."

Hermione nodded and leaned into Severus. She felt so tired all over again and worried that she wouldn't make it down to their chambers. And she was right. Half way down she felt her legs give way and Severus scoop her into his arms. She put one arm around his neck and rested her head against his chest, her eyes closed. She lost herself to sleep with the gentle swaying of Severus as he walked and the comforting beat of his heart against her ear.

~0~0~

Two weeks later and Hermione awoke at the crack of dawn and promptly threw up into the bin that was close by. Severus woke up to her retching and soothing rubbed her back.

"Are you okay, love?"

"I'm fine. Must have been something I ate."

"I'm taking you to Poppy to be sure."

"Can't we just wait to see how I feel tomorrow morning?"

Severus thought for a moment before reluctantly nodding. "Okay. What have you got today?"

"Double potions with you, single arithmacy and double transfigurations with Mom."

"Okay. Sit at the front in class today to you can run through my office if need be, okay?"

"Okay Sev." Hermione leaned back and closed her eyes, already exhausted. She thought it was weird and she knew that her period was late so she connected the two together and decided that she had just been stressed and this was the start of this months' period. Sighing, she decided to shower and get ready for the day.

Hermione sat in potions at the front desk as Severus had asked her to. She usually sat in the far back corner so that no one would hassle her and so that Severus could come and talk to her if she needed it, though he rarely did as they tried to keep up appearances while in class.

"Today you will start the making process of ..." Severus' voice carried on and Hermione found that she could concentrate on the words he was saying. She already knew what she would be making today so when she heard the words 'get going' penetrate her mind, she started in a daze. Severus kept a close eye on her and when he noticed she was doing everything she should, he started to walk slowly around the classroom as he usually did. Hermione was doing well until she had to cut into the stomach of a frog to empty its contents. It was a smelly job at the best of times and Hermione's stomach couldn't take it. She tried to carry on, but she threw up into the bin that Severus had placed next to her desk before the start of the lesson. The little she had had at breakfast was lost and Hermione knelt on the floor having lost all of her energy. The class was small, five people, so Severus went over to Hermione and rubbed her back. Hermione leaned back into his chest and he held her close.

"Sorry," she whispered.

"Nonsense," he whispered back and placed a kiss to her crown. "Think you can walk through to our chambers?" Hermione shook her head and Severus picked her up and put her in his large comfy chair. "You stay here until I've finished this lesson then I'll take you through, okay?"

Hermione nodded she knew that no one could be left alone while attempting to make the base for the many potions that are used at St. Mungo's and she knew she was in no fit state to be on her own. She sighed and closed her eyes, tucking her feet under her after having kicked off her shoes, and found a comfy position; she let her thoughts run (something she tried not to do very often). She felt something being draped over her and she automatically snuggled closer to it, and as she was going through her thoughts, she slipped into a peaceful sleep. Severus kept a close eye on her as he continued to walk around the room and 'help' every now and then. At the end of the double period, Severus crouched down in front of his chair and gently woke Hermione up.

"I'm sorry, Sev."

"It's okay, love. How are you feeling?"

"A little better I think, still a little tired though."

"Okay. I'll take you though to our rooms and then call Poppy; find out what's wrong."

Hermione nodded. "I don't have the energy to argue, but I do this under protest."

Severus chuckled. "I understand."

Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and held on tight as he carried her though from the classroom to their bedroom. He kissed her forehead and pulled the sheets up to her chin. Grabbing some floo powder off the top of the mantle in the living room, he called through to Poppy in the hospital wing.

"Severus, what can I do for you?"

"You busy?"

"No."

"Could you come through and check Hermione over please, she's not feeling too well."

"Give me a couple of minutes and I'll be through to you."

Severus nodded and went back to Hermione's bed side, having a free period.

Poppy turned back to the other occupant in the room.

"What's wrong with Hermione?"

"I'll find out Minerva, I'm going over there now."

"I'm coming."

"No Minerva. You need to go and rest, I'll get Hermione to contact you once I've seen her."

Minerva nodded. "I'll try and get some rest."

"Please do Minerva; it wouldn't do Hermione any good if she was worrying about you." Poppy gave her friend a brief hug before flooing through to Severus' chambers (as she still referred to them as).

"Severus," she called out as she stepped into the living room.

"Bedroom," was the response.

Poppy headed straight for the stated room and paled a little when she saw how pale Hermione was. "How long as she been like this?"

"She's woken up the past few days and thrown up. She's hardly eaten anything and during the first hour of she threw up and hasn't had the energy to walk any where, she's been asleep most of the time since the incident that lesson."

Poppy nodded and started to wave her wand. A green orb hovered above Hermione and then turned a baby pink colour then a light purple. It flashed between the two colours and she gasped.

"What's wrong Poppy?"

"Nothing, she'd perfectly healthy." She paused. "Do you know if Hermione has missed her period?"

"I have," Hermione whispered from her place on the bed.

"That would explain it."

"Explain what?" Severus was a little slow while Hermione understood straight away as it was already something that was floating around her mind.

"I'm pregnant Severus," Hermione whispered, her eyes still closed and drifting back to sleep.

Poppy nodded in agreement. "She'll need plenty of rest and she needs to start eating. She's also going to need to stop making potions when she hits her third month. Minerva was with me when you called through, she's worried."

"We'll go and speak to her after classes."

Poppy nodded. "I'll let her know."

Severus nodded and sat on the edge of the bed. He had no idea what he was thought about becoming a father and goodness knows what Hermione thought about becoming a mother, and so young too.

An hour later and Hermione woke up to find herself in Severus' arms. Poppy had spoken to Minerva and she had instantly sent Alan down to cover the rest of Severus' classes.

"Was it a dream?" she asked in a whispered voice.

"No love."

Hermione sighed and closed her eyes. "Are you happy about it?"

"Yes, but I'll stick by you no matter what you chose."

Hermione nodded and turned so that she was snuggled into his side. "I think I'm happy about it. I wanted children to be in our future, just never imagined that it'd be this close."

"You're not thinking of an abortion?"

"No, I can take my exams early; we all know that I'm capable of passing them. I can take a years break and then think about getting an apprenticeship here with you or Mom."

Severus nodded. "That sounds like a plan to me."

"Good, 'cause I'm sticking to it."

"We have to go and see you're mother shortly and tell her the news. She was worried when I called through to Poppy as she was sat in the office and heard the conversation."

Hermione nodded. "Hold me for a little longer?"

"Always."

"Thank you Severus. I love you."

"I love you too, darling."

~0~0~

Hermione nervously knocked on the door that led to her mother's chambers.

"Hermione, come in."

"Thanks Dad." Severus followed behind her and nodded to her father as he passed.

"Hermione, what do we own this visit?" Minerva asked from her seat by the blazing fire in the living room.

"We have news to share with you both."

Minerva nodded and placed her book on the coffee table in front of her. Alan passed by Hermione and Severus and sat next to his wife. Hermione stayed standing where she was with Severus behind her. Severus wrapped his arms around Hermione's waist, hoping to be of some comfort as he knew how nervous she was about this conversation. She had been worrying about the many possible outcomes of the conversation that they were about to have with her parents.

Hermione looked down at her feet and whispered, "I'm pregnant."

"You're what?"

"Pregnant," she whispered again.

"How on earth have you let that happen? I thought you were being careful!"

"We were being careful Mom!"

"Then how!"

"Did you never forget to use contraception in the heat of the moment! Severus had just proposed to me and we went back to the hotel. We were in Paris, engaged and very much in love with each other. We forgot!"

"Then you should have sorted it out when you came back to England."

"I didn't think about it!"

"You should have! I thought you were intelligent." The last part was a whisper and it tore at Hermione's heart.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was a mistake."

"No, an accident, but I wasn't in my final year at school and unmarried. I was a grown married woman who didn't have to worry about bringing a child into the world."

"What are you on? I was adopted by a muggle family because you couldn't cope!"

"Don't turn this around on me!"

"It's true, Minerva."

"Enough!" Alan shouted. "Minerva, go and cool down, now."

"You're too young to have a child, get Severus' to make you an abortion potion."

"Never! How could you even suggest that?"

"Minerva!" Alan pointed to their bedroom and Minerva stormed off. He turned to Hermione and patted the seat next to him. Hermione sat next to him. "Congratulations, Kitten."

"Thanks Dad." Hermione hugged her father lightly.

"What are you feeling about this, both of you?"

"I'm happy about it. It was unsuspected, but if I take my NEWTs at Christmas and take a year out of studying, then I can have and look after the baby and decide what I'm going to do."

"Sounds like a plan. Severus?"

"I too am happy. Never thought I'd be a father."

"Me neither, it's the best thing in the world." Alan turned to Hermione again. "Don't mind you're mother."

"She shouldn't have said those things though Dad."

"I know love, and for your information, we did forget to use contraception in the heat of the moment, many more times that just once. Still do."

Hermione blushed. "I guess I won't have to use it now I'm pregnant."

Alan chuckled and shook his head. "Just look after yourself."

"What does Mom think of me?"

"I'm really not sure at the moment, sweetheart, but I'll speak to her and send you an owl, okay?"

"Okay Dad." Hermione hung her head, ashamed.

Severus brought her into his side and ran his fingers through her hair to make her feel slightly better. "I need to speak to Minerva about Hermione being excused from potions as she can no longer take part."

Alan nodded. "If that is the case, how will she take her potions exam?"

"I'll have to clear it with Minerva, but she'll be able to take it within the next month."

Alan nodded. "I'll speak to her about it and let you know. Now, why don't the both of you head back down to your rooms and celebrate."

"Thank you, Daddy."

"You're welcome my princess." Father and daughter hugged before Alan turned to Severus and shook his hand. "Congratulations Severus."

"Thank you, Sir."

Alan smiled. "Look after her for me, Severus."

"Always."

"Good. Now, off you go while I try and tame the demon."

The trio chuckled before Hermione hugged her father one last time before letting Severus bring her into his side and lead her to their rooms.

To Be Continued ...

A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing. This one is dedicated to -x-Greeneyesy-x- as she gave me the idea.

I've hit a little bit of a dead end with this one but as soon as the next chapter is ready, it shall be posted. Feel free to send in any ideas.